Moss Wood 2015 Amy’s

Vintage Notes

The 2015 vintage was really good for winemakers but something of a challenge for viticulturists. Spring rainfall was excellent but with it came conditions that weren’t ideal for flowering. Wet days and low temperatures cause the vines all sorts of problems and although we avoided disease, the fruit set was relatively poor and so crop levels were well down. Cabernet Sauvignon, for example, for down 40%. The yield losses were not just the product of the weather because the birds were hungry in 2015 as well. The Redgum blossom was poor and meant their natural food source was limited and they turned their attention to the grapes when they were still very unripe and only just changing colour. Fortunately the use of vine nets ensured the bird damage was minimal but nevertheless, frustrating. They always seem to be able to find their way under the nets and do some harm.

Despite these challenges, the growing conditions through the Summer were terrific, with consistent mild to warm temperatures and no extremes. The hottest day was 37.3⁰C and we had only 4 days when the temperature exceeded 35⁰C. These conditions are absolutely ideal for ripening Cabernet Sauvignon and its blending varieties and so, even though we made much less than we would have liked, what we did make was right at the top of the quality tree for our Amy’s wine.

Production Notes

As with all the Moss wood wines, the 2015 Amy’s was harvested by hand. At the winery all varieties were destemmed and pumped into static fermenters, where co-fermentation was carried out, using sequential inoculation of various selected yeasts. Extraction of colour and flavour was by pump-over 3 times per day and temperatures controlled to a maximum of 30⁰C. Time on skins varied a little for each variety – Cabernet Sauvignon 14 days; Malbec for 11 days; Merlot for 14 days and Petit Verdot for 16 days. After pressing, each variety underwent malolactic fermentation in stainless steel before being racked to wood where all barrels were French oak and all were 225 litre volume. In keeping with the emphasis of retaining maximum fruit depth, there were no new barrels used. Time in wood was 18 months. After barrel aging the wine was racked and blended in stainless steel and fining trials were carried out. In the end we felt the wine’s tannin balance was excellent and no fining was necessary and so it was sterile filtered and bottled on 13th October, 2016.

Cellaring Notes

This wine is made with an emphasis on fruit depth and it is our intention it be enjoyed when young, with a tannin structure that is well balanced and not too confronting. This of course means it can be drunk now but as with all Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Margaret River, it has the necessary attributes required for cellaring. For those with the patience and who enjoy softer and more complex older wines, we suggest a further 5 years aging.

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